WeeklySA_AdminINTERNATIONAL BREAK: CHANCE FOR PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS TO REGROUP AND REFLECT ON THEIR START SO FAR
By Sports Reporter
Manchester City and Liverpool have made the perfect start to the new season with a 100% record after three games, but things could not have gone any worse for Everton.
They are bottom of the table and are yet to pick up a point, but the international break offers teams the chance to regroup and reflect on their start so far.
Here, we take a look at one thing we have learned from the top five clubs in the Premier League after three games.
Manchester City – Haaland hungrier than ever
Erling Haaland has already scored hat-tricks against Ipswich and West Ham this season We’re all well aware that Erling Haaland is one of the best goalscorers around, but he’s come into this season looking better than ever.
Three games in and he has seven goals already – including back-to-back hat-tricks. Despite joining Manchester City just two years ago he is hurtling towards 100 Premier League goals for the club.
Haaland is currently on 70 goals from 69 games and, on current form, you would not bet against him surpassing the landmark this season.
The Premier League champions, chasing their fifth consecutive title, will also get even stronger after the international break. Key midfielder Rodri has yet to play this season after an extended break following Euro 2024, while England internationals John Stones, Phil Foden and Kyle Walker have featured just once.
Liverpool – Seamlessly Slotted in
Three games in and Liverpool, like Manchester City, have a 100% record so far in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and conceding none.
Replacing a legendary manager like Jurgen Klopp was never going to be easy but Arne Slot has done an excellent job of overseeing the transition, with the comfortable win against Manchester United really giving lift off to his reign.
Slot has became the first manager in Liverpool’s history to win his opening three league games in charge in the top flight without conceding a goal. A very impressive start.
Mohamed Salah, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract and said this is his “last year” at Anfield, has scored in all three games, highlighting his continued importance to the side.
Arsenal – Havertz proving doubters wrong
Kai Havertz has long been considered by many to not be a striker and with good reason. He initially struggled to put away chances, or score the amount of goals that would be expected of someone leading the line.
However, with patience from Mikel Arteta he is starting to flourish in that role. He has two goals from three games so far this season and has hit a total of 10 from 15 games playing in that position.
The Gunners, who finished second last season, have conceded just one goal this season coming in their 1-1 draw to Brighton,
Bournemouth – Semenyo’s strong start
One of the games of the final weekend of Premier League fixtures before the international break was at Everton, where Bournemouth scored three times from the 87th minute to win 3-2.
The man who got the ball rolling for the Cherries as they recorded their first win of the season was Antoine Semenyo, who has had an excellent start to the season. He has either scored (two) or assisted (one) a goal in all three of Bournemouth’s Premier League games so far.
It’s the first time he’s been involved in a goal in three consecutive appearances in the competition and, after Dominic Solanke’s departure in the summer, it will be crucial for their aspirations that other players step up in his absence.
Chelsea – Work in progress
It has been another busy summer at Chelsea, with 10 players arriving for £203m, 12 leaving for £150m and Enzo Maresca replacing Mauricio Pochettino as manager.
Maresca has looked to implement a new style but familiar failings remain, despite the high turnover in players. It is an inconsistent, young team which is liable to miss chances and make defensive mistakes.
That is reflected in the two wins, one draw and two defeats in all competitions so far, though that includes progress to the Europa Conference League group stages and an impressive 6-2 win at Wolves.
Manchester United – New signings need to deliver
An opening day win over Fulham was followed by back-to-back defeats against Brighton and rivals Liverpool.
Casemiro struggled against Liverpool, where he made two mistakes leading to goals, and manager Erik ten Hag will hope new £50.5m signing Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte can make a difference in midfield which is susceptible to counter-attacks.
The Red Devils are currently without striker Rasmus Hojlund, left-back Luke Shaw and £52m defender Leny Yoro, while Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee are still bedding in after joining in the summer.
With just two goals scored so far, United also need Marcus Rashford and the rest of the forward line to start firing.
Left-back also remains a problem position, with right-back Diogo Dalot beginning the season out of position.
It has hampered any attempt to bring cohesion to the partnerships from goalkeeper Andre Onana forward through the defence to the midfield.
